JP2014120910A - Digital broadcast receiver and digital broadcast reception program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide technique for allowing a viewer to select a past broadcast program by zapping.SOLUTION: A digital broadcast receiver 1 includes: reception means 10 for receiving a broadcast program; accumulation means 20 for accumulating the broadcast program and zapping data being the fragmented broadcast program; recording control means 30 for generating a recording history being a history of the broadcast program accumulated in the accumulation means 20; zapping data generation means 40 for generating the zapping data from the broadcast program and exchanging the zapping data with the broadcast program to accumulate the program when accumulation capacity of the accumulation means 20 exceeds limit capacity; zapping data recording table generation means 50 for generating a recording table of the zapping data accumulated in the accumulation means 20; and reproduction control means 60 for reading the past broadcast program whose viewing is selected by a program retrieval operation in a time direction of a viewer or the zapping data corresponding to the past broadcast program from the accumulation means 20 to reproduce the program and the data.

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital broadcast receiving apparatus having a storage function, and more particularly to a digital broadcast receiving apparatus and a digital broadcast receiving program capable of searching for past broadcast programs in the time direction.

  In a conventional digital broadcast receiver having a storage function (including a hard disk recorder), a broadcast included in an electronic program guide (EPG) is selected when a viewer selects a program to be viewed from the stored programs. It is common to use information related to a program (program name, broadcast date, channel, performer, etc.), a list of still images (thumbnail) at the beginning of the program, etc. (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

For example, in Patent Document 1, a thumbnail image for searching past broadcast video data that has been time-shifted recorded is created, and a past program guide that is a program guide of past broadcast video data is associated with the created thumbnail image. A technique for displaying is displayed.
Also, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for creating a thumbnail image for searching a recorded program using a characteristic representative image of the program.
Further, for example, Patent Document 3 discloses a technique for assisting in searching for stored programs using metadata (program genre, series, performers, etc.).

Republished WO2007 / 043347 JP 2011-71818 A JP2012-110034A

However, the above-described conventional technique has the following problems.
That is, with the methods described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, it is difficult to accurately grasp the contents of the stored program from the program name, the thumbnail image of the program, and the like. For example, the beginning of a program such as a program that is regularly broadcast is often not different every time. For this reason, even if the thumbnail at the beginning of the program is referred to, it is difficult to understand the difference in contents from other times, and it is often not effective as a program selection means. Therefore, when a program to be viewed based on a program name, a thumbnail image of the program, or the like is selected, disappointment may occur when the program is actually viewed. In addition, as the number of stored programs increases, the number of program names and thumbnail images of the programs also increase accordingly, so that it takes time to select programs to be viewed, and viewers are interested in the programs that are actually viewed. There was a risk that it would be limited to the one with.

In the method described in Patent Document 3, since a keyword for program search must be input, the threshold is high for viewers who are not used to input operations with a remote controller or the like.
Furthermore, in the methods described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, it takes time to activate a dedicated screen (a list screen such as a thumbnail image or a keyword input screen) in order to select a stored program.

  By the way, when selecting a program that is being broadcast, so-called zapping is generally performed in which a viewer selects a program to watch by glancing at a program that is being broadcast by switching channels one after another with a remote control device. By performing such zapping, the viewer can select a program to view while actually checking the contents of the program, so that the viewer can easily select a favorite program. Furthermore, in response to the moment of zapping, you may get a glimpse of the program that is being broadcast, and you may encounter scenes that exceed the content expected from the program name, etc., and select unexpected or favorite programs. There is also an effect that it becomes possible.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a digital broadcast receiving apparatus and a digital broadcast receiving program that allow a viewer to select a past broadcast program by zapping. Let it be an issue.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems. First, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1 is a broadcast program from a broadcast wave and an external server connected via a network. Is provided with receiving means, storage means, recording control means, zapping data generation means, zapping data recording table generation means, and reproduction control means.

According to such a configuration, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus receives the broadcast program by the receiving means, and stores the broadcast program and zapping data that is a fragmented broadcast program by the storage means. Here, the fragmented broadcast program is a set of partial data (moving image data) of the broadcast program.
In the digital broadcast receiving apparatus, the recording control means generates a recording history that is a history of the broadcast program stored in the storage means. This recording history can be, for example, information associated with the broadcast program stored in the storage means (for example, title, genre, etc.) and the recording date and time of the broadcast program. Thereby, the broadcast program stored in the storage means can be managed in time series.

  Further, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus selects the broadcast program stored in the storage means according to a predetermined rule by referring to the recording history when the storage capacity of the storage means exceeds the limit capacity by the zapping data generation means. Then, the selected broadcast program is left at a predetermined amount at predetermined time intervals, the remaining is deleted to generate zapping data, and the zapping data is stored in the storage means instead of the broadcast program. Thus, the storage capacity for one broadcast program can be stored by changing the broadcast program into zapping data that is fragmented broadcast data in accordance with a predetermined rule (for example, in order of oldest recording date and time). The amount of use can be reduced. Further, since broadcast programs and zapping data can be newly stored by the amount of data reduced from the storage means, the storage capacity of the storage means can be used efficiently.

Then, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus uses the zapping data recording table generating unit to broadcast the program stored in the storage unit, or the channel on which the zapping data is broadcast as information for specifying the zapping data. A zapping data recording table that records the date and time in association with each other is generated.
Thereby, the broadcast program or zapping data stored in the storage means can be managed in association with the broadcast date and time or channel.

  Then, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus inputs a program search operation in the time direction through the viewer input means from the input means as an operation signal for designating the channel and broadcast date and time by the reproduction control means, and the operation signal The broadcast program specified by, or zapping data corresponding to this broadcast program is read from the storage means and reproduced. At this time, the reproduction control means refers to the zapping data recording table, and as a result, when the broadcast program specified by the operation signal is not accumulated in the accumulation means, the zapping data corresponding to the broadcast program is reproduced. Thereby, the viewer can actually watch the zapping data that is a past broadcast program or a fragmented broadcast program, and can select the program to be viewed. In addition, it is possible to actually view a plurality of scenes such as an early stage, an intermediate stage, and an end stage, not limited to the beginning of a broadcast program. Therefore, it is possible to easily grasp the contents of the broadcast program.

  The digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 2 is the digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the zapping data recording table generating means includes the broadcasting corresponding to the zapping data in the zapping data recording table. Program information for acquiring a program from the external server is further recorded in association with each other, and the reproduction control means refers to the zapping data recording table when a predetermined time has elapsed from the reproduction start of the zapping data. Then, the program information of the broadcast program corresponding to the reproduced zapping data is read, and the program information of the broadcast program specified by the program information is transmitted from the external server via the network. At least the deleted part is acquired and reproduced.

  According to this, the zapping data recording table generating means further records the program information in association with the zapping data and the like, and the reproduction control means acquires the broadcast program corresponding to the reproduced zapping data from the external server. It becomes possible. Thus, even if the entire broadcast program related to the viewer's selection is not stored in the storage means, the portion of the broadcast program related to the selection that is not stored in the storage means can be acquired from the outside. The viewer can view the entire broadcast program.

  The digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 3 is the digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the recording control unit is configured to set the channel to be received by the receiving unit in the same broadcast time zone. Switching at a constant time interval, the receiving means receives the broadcast program broadcast on the plurality of channels in the same broadcast time period by a predetermined amount at the constant time interval, and each of the broadcast programs The fragmented broadcast program data received for is stored in the storage means as the zapping data.

  According to this, even if the number of receiving means is smaller than the number of channels, it is possible to acquire zapping data of broadcast programs broadcast on a plurality of channels in the same broadcast time zone. As a result, it is possible to allow viewers to watch zapping viewing of broadcast programs broadcast on a plurality of channels in the same broadcast time zone.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising a zapping data receiving unit and a zapping data updating unit.

  According to such a configuration, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus receives the zapping data of the broadcast program or the update information of the zapping data distributed from the external server by the zapping data receiving unit. Thus, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus can acquire zapping data of the broadcast program from an external server. Here, the zapping data of the broadcast program distributed from the external server may include zapping data that has not yet been stored in the storage means, in addition to the data corresponding to the zapping data already stored in the storage means. . Further, the update information of the zapping data includes, as information for specifying the zapping data, a channel on which a broadcast program corresponding to the zapping data is broadcast, and a date and time when a portion corresponding to the zapping data is broadcast on that channel. At least included. Thus, the distributed zapping data can be associated with the zapping data stored in the storage means.

  The digital broadcast receiving apparatus updates the zapping data stored in the storage unit based on the zapping data distributed from the external server or the update information by the zapping data update unit. For example, the accumulated zapping data may be updated so that the difference between the distributed zapping data and the accumulated zapping data disappears, or the distributed zapping data is replaced with the accumulated zapping data and updated. May be. Further, if the corresponding zapping data is not accumulated in the accumulation means, the distributed zapping data may be newly accumulated.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital broadcast receiving program for causing a viewer to select and view a past broadcast program by zapping in a time direction, receiving means, recording control means, zapping data generating means, This is a digital broadcast receiving program for functioning as a zapping data recording table generation means and a reproduction control means.

According to this configuration, the digital broadcast receiving program receives the broadcast program by the receiving unit.
Further, the digital broadcast receiving program generates a recording history that is a history of the broadcast program stored in the storage means by the recording control means.

  Further, the digital broadcast receiving program selects, in a predetermined order, broadcast programs stored in the storage means by referring to the recording history when the storage capacity of the storage means exceeds the limit capacity by the zapping data generation means, The selected broadcast program is deleted by a certain amount at predetermined time intervals to generate zapping data, and the zapping data is stored in the storage means instead of the broadcast program.

  The digital broadcast receiving program uses the zapping data recording table generating means as information for specifying the zapping data stored in the storage means, and the channel on which the broadcast program corresponding to the zapping data is broadcast, and the zapping data in that channel. A data recording table for zapping in which the broadcast date and time when the portion corresponding to is broadcast is recorded in association with each other is generated.

  Then, the digital broadcast receiving program inputs the program search operation in the time direction through the viewer input means from the input means as the operation signal designating the channel and the broadcast date and time by the reproduction control means, and the operation signal The broadcast program specified by, or zapping data corresponding to this broadcast program is read from the storage means and reproduced. The reproduction control means reproduces zapping data corresponding to the broadcast program when the broadcast program specified by the operation signal is not accumulated in the accumulation means.

  According to the first and fifth aspects of the present invention, it is possible for a viewer to view a past broadcast program or a fragmented broadcast program (zapping data) by zapping. This makes it easy for the viewer to grasp the contents of the broadcast program, and allows the viewer to easily select a broadcast program that suits the taste. Furthermore, the stored capacity can be used effectively by replacing the stored broadcast program with zapping data as appropriate.

  Further, since the viewing selection by zapping in the time direction can be performed with the same operation feeling as the viewing selection by zapping between channels that is generally performed, the operability is excellent. Therefore, convenience can be improved, and viewing can be expanded to broadcast programs or the like that have not been viewed before.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, even if the entire broadcast program selected for viewing by the viewer is not stored in the storage unit, the broadcast program selected for viewing is not stored in the storage unit. By acquiring the partial data from the outside, the viewer can watch the entire broadcast program. Therefore, it is possible to effectively use the storage capacity of the storage means while securing an opportunity to view the broadcast program, and the apparatus becomes inexpensive.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to allow viewers to view broadcast programs broadcast on a plurality of channels in the same broadcast time period by zapping, thereby further expanding viewing. Can do. Also, even if the number of receiving means is smaller than the number of channels, zapping data can be obtained from broadcast programs broadcast on a plurality of channels, so that the receiving means can be used efficiently and the apparatus is inexpensive.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since zapping data or zapping data update information can be acquired from the outside, the zapping data stored in the storage means can be updated based on the zapping data. . Therefore, convenience can be further improved.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the digital broadcast receiver which concerns on embodiment of this invention. To explain how zapping data of a broadcast program that is broadcast in a plurality of channels in the same broadcast time period is acquired by switching channels received by the receiving means at a constant time interval in the same broadcast time period FIG. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating a mode that the zapping data production | generation means produces | generates zapping data of the digital broadcast receiver which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the zapping data recording table produced | generated by the zapping data recording table production | generation means of the digital broadcast receiver which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the zapping data production | generation process performed by the zapping data production | generation means in the digital broadcast receiver which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the reproduction | regeneration processing performed by the reproduction | regeneration control means in the digital broadcast receiver which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the digital broadcast receiver which concerns on the modification of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the zapping data update process performed by the zapping data update means of the digital broadcast receiver which concerns on the modification of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Configuration of digital broadcast receiver]
First, the configuration of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1 includes a receiving unit 10, a storage unit 20, a recording control unit 30, a zapping data generation unit 40, a zapping data recording table generation unit 50, and a reproduction control unit. 60. It is assumed that a display device 2 such as a liquid crystal display and a speaker is connected to the digital broadcast receiving device 1 and an operation such as channel switching is performed by a remote control device (input means) 3. The digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1 can access an external server 100 via the network N.

The receiving means 10 receives a broadcast program distributed via broadcast waves and program specific information (PSI: Program Specific Information) transmitted in addition to the broadcast program. The program specifying information includes an electronic program guide (EPG), time information (TOT: Time Offset Table), and information indicating the location of the received broadcast program in the external server 100 (for example, program ID). Is included. This electronic program guide describes information related to a broadcast program. For example, the broadcast program title, channel, broadcast date / time, genre, program description, performer, program attributes (audio mode, commentary) Broadcast, caption broadcast, data broadcast, interactive program, etc.) are described.
Here, the receiving means 10 receives the program specifying information via the broadcast wave, but may receive the program specifying information via the network N.

  The receiving unit 10 extracts a broadcast program that has been selected for viewing by the viewer through an input operation to the remote control device 3 from the broadcast wave, and outputs the broadcast program to the reproduction control unit 60. Further, the receiving means 10 separates and extracts the electronic program guide of the program specific information distributed on the broadcast wave, the time information, and the program ID, the zapping data generating means 40, and the zapping data recording It outputs to the table generation means 50.

The receiving unit 10 receives a broadcast program instructed to be recorded by the recording control unit 30 described later via a broadcast wave, and stores the broadcast program in the storage unit 20. Further, the receiving means 10 separates and extracts the electronic program guide of the program specific information distributed on the broadcast wave, the time information, and the program ID, the zapping data generating means 40, and the zapping data recording It outputs to the table generation means 50.
To do.
The receiving means 10 may be provided in the same number as the number of channels that can be received by the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1 or may be smaller than the number of channels.

  The accumulating unit 20 stores zapping data of the broadcast program received by the receiving unit 10 or the broadcast program generated by the zapping data generating unit 40 described later, and is a general storage device such as a hard disk. . Here, the zapping data is a fragmented broadcast program, and specifically, is moving image data of a part of the broadcast program.

The storage means 20 stores either the broadcast program or zapping data corresponding to the broadcast program.
The storage means 20 is referred to when a broadcast program or zapping data is reproduced by the reproduction control means 60 described later.

The recording control unit 30 controls a broadcast program to be recorded by the receiving unit 10. The recording control means 30 outputs to the receiving means 10 a recording instruction that instructs a broadcast program to be recorded. In addition, the recording control means 30 generates a recording history that is a history of the recorded broadcast program. This recording history includes, for example, information (for example, channel, broadcast date and time) specifying broadcast programs stored in the storage unit 20. The broadcast program may further include a mark indicating that the broadcast program is a broadcast program recorded in accordance with an instruction from the viewer. The recording control unit 30 creates a recording history each time a recording instruction is given to the receiving unit 10.
The recording history generated in this way is output to the zapping data generating means 40 and the zapping data recording table generating means 50 described later.

Further, the recording control means 30 may cause the receiving means 10 to acquire zapping data corresponding to each broadcast program directly from each broadcast program being broadcast on a plurality of channels in the same broadcast time zone. . This will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
Here, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, when channels that can be received by the receiving means 10 are CH1 to CH8, a single receiving means 10 is broadcasting on the channels CH1 to CH8 in the same broadcast time zone. A case where the zapping data of the broadcast program is acquired will be described as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the recording control means 30 switches the channels to be received by the receiving means 10 in a fixed order every fixed time, and broadcast programs being broadcast on the channels CH1 to CH8 to the receiving means 10 for a fixed time. (For example, about 10 seconds). For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the recording control unit 30 switches the channels to be received by the receiving unit 10 in the order of channels CH1, CH2,. The recording control means 30 repeats such switching operation from the channels CH1 to CH8 a plurality of times.

Here, the recording control means 30 has a constant time interval T (for example, 1 minute interval +/− random seconds) from the time when recording is finished on a certain channel to the time when recording is next started on the same channel. In this way, the channel switching timing is controlled .

  In this way, the recording control unit 30 shifts the channels received by the receiving unit 10 in the time t direction in the same broadcast time zone, thereby broadcasting each of the plurality of channels in the same broadcast time zone. The program can be received part by part. As a result, zapping data can be acquired from each broadcast program broadcast on a plurality of channels in the same broadcast time zone with one receiving means 10. The zapping data acquired for each broadcast program by the receiving means 10 is stored in the storage means 20. When the number of receiving means 10 is the same as the number of channels, the recording control means 30 may cause each receiving means 10 to receive a broadcast program of a corresponding channel by a certain amount at a certain time interval T. When recording the zapping data in this way, the recording control means 30 generates the recording history. The generated recording history is output to a zapping data generation unit 40 and a zapping data recording table generation unit 50 which will be described later.

  Thus, in addition to the receiving means 10 used for receiving the currently broadcasted broadcast program selected for viewing by the viewer, if there is one receiving means 10 used for obtaining the zapping data, the viewer can watch the broadcast program. Can be obtained from the respective broadcast programs broadcast on a plurality of channels in the same broadcast time period without affecting. Therefore, the receiving means 10 can be used efficiently.

  In addition, the mark (mark) of the mark column of FIG. 2 has shown the broadcast time slot | zone of the broadcast program in which recording was instruct | indicated by the viewer. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the viewer is instructed to record a broadcast program broadcast on the channel CH8 from 10:00 to 12:00. In this way, when there is a broadcast program instructed to be recorded by the viewer, the recording control means 30 was broadcast to the receiving means 10 on the corresponding channel in the broadcast time zone of the broadcast program instructed to record. Record the entire broadcast program. On the other hand, the recording control unit 30 causes the receiving unit 10 to continuously acquire zapping data at regular intervals from broadcast programs being broadcast on the channels CH1 to CH7. In this case, in addition to receiving means 10 for acquiring zapping data from a broadcast program broadcast on channels CH1 to CH7, a receiving means 10 for recording a broadcast program on channel CH8 is newly used.

The zapping data generation unit 40 generates zapping data of the broadcast program from the broadcast program stored in the storage unit 20.
The zapping data generation means 40 periodically monitors whether or not the storage capacity of the storage means 20 exceeds the limit capacity. If the storage capacity of the storage means 20 exceeds the limit capacity, it is input from the recording control means 30. With reference to the recording history, the broadcast program stored in the storage unit 20 is selected according to a predetermined rule (for example, in order of recording date / time (broadcast date / time)).
The limit capacity can be set as appropriate, but can be set to 80% of the storage capacity of the storage unit 20, for example.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the zapping data generating means 40 is configured to select the broadcast program BP at a constant time interval T (for example, 1 minute interval +/− random seconds) and a predetermined amount (for example, about 10 seconds). Three zapping data ZD are generated by leaving them one by one and deleting the others. As a result, zapping data generated from the broadcast program is stored in the storage means 20 instead of the broadcast program. When zapping data is generated, the zapping data generation means 40 notifies the zapping data recording table generation means 50 to that effect (zapping data generation notification).

  Note that the zapping data generation means 40 is a broadcast with a mark (for example, see FIG. 2) indicating that it is a broadcast program recorded in accordance with an instruction from the viewer in the recording history generated by the recording control means 30. The program is excluded from the target for generating zapping data. As a result, the broadcast program recorded by the instruction from the viewer can be stored as it is regardless of the passage of time since the recording.

  In this way, among the broadcast programs stored in the storage means 20, for example, the broadcast programs whose viewing opportunities are reduced due to reasons such as the recording date being old are rewritten and stored as zapping data. Since the amount of use of the storage capacity can be reduced, new broadcast programs and zapping data can be stored accordingly. As a result, zapping data of broadcast programs broadcast for a longer period can be accumulated, so that viewers can perform zapping viewing of broadcast programs for a longer period of time. Also, by replacing the broadcast program with zapping data and accumulating it, it is possible to continuously ensure the opportunity to view the broadcast program via the zapping data.

  The zapping data recording table generating means 50 generates a recording table of data (zapping data: zapping data and broadcast program) accumulated in the accumulating means 20 to be viewed in response to a viewer's time-direction zapping operation. It is. Here, the contents of the zapping data recording table generated by the zapping data recording table generating means 50 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4, a part of the zapping data recording table generated by the zapping data recording table generating means 50 is extracted.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the recording history input from the recording control means 30 indicates that the broadcast program is stored in the storage means 20, the zapping data recording table generation means 50 broadcasts the broadcast program. The zapping data recording table Ta is generated by associating at least the channel and the broadcast date and time. If the recording history input from the recording control means 30 indicates that zapping data has been stored in the storage means 20, the channel on which the zapping data (actually, the broadcast program corresponding to the zapping data) was broadcast, The zapping data recording table Ta is generated by associating at least the date and time when the portion corresponding to the zapping data was broadcast on the channel. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when a broadcast program is recorded, the broadcast date and time of the broadcast program and the channel are recorded in association with each other.

  Further, when the zapping data generation notification is input from the zapping data generation means 40, the zapping data recording table generation means 50 is described in the electronic program guide included in the program specifying information separated from the broadcast wave by the reception means 10. Information for identifying a broadcast program (channel, etc.) and time information are referred to. The zapping data recording table generation means 50 includes a channel on which a broadcast program corresponding to the zapping data generated by the zapping data generation means 40 and stored in the storage means 20 is broadcast, and a portion corresponding to the zapping data in that channel. The zapping data recording table Ta is generated by associating at least the broadcast date and time.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the zapping data recording table generating means 50, when recording information specifying zapping data, includes the zapping data recording table included in the program specifying information separated from the broadcast wave by the receiving means 10. Information indicating the location of the received broadcast program in the external server 100 (in this case, the program ID) is further recorded in association with Ta. This program ID is used when a broadcast program is acquired from the external server 100 by the reproduction control means 60 described later.
The zapping data recording table Ta generated in this way is referred to as appropriate when the playback control means 60, which will be described later, plays back a broadcast program that the viewer has selected to view through the zapping operation.

  The reproduction control unit 60 decodes the encoded video and audio output from the reception unit 10 and reproduces them as a video signal and an audio signal, and is selected by a zapping operation in the time direction by the viewer A broadcast program or zapping data is read from the storage means 20 and reproduced as a video signal and an audio signal.

  When the playback control means 60 inputs a zapping operation by the viewer from the remote control device 3 as an operation signal for specifying the channel and the broadcast date and time, based on this, the broadcast program or zapping data stored in the storage means 20 is input. The broadcast program specified by the operation signal or zapping data corresponding to the broadcast program is read out and reproduced as a video signal and a reproduction signal. The reproduction control means 60 reproduces the broadcast program when the broadcast program specified by the operation signal is accumulated, and reproduces the zapping data corresponding to this broadcast program when the broadcast program for viewing selection is not accumulated. To do.

  When reading the zapping data of the broadcast program corresponding to the channel designated by the viewer and the broadcast date and time, the reproduction control means 60 reads and reproduces the zapping data recorded at the nearest time of the designated broadcast date and time. For example, the difference between the broadcast date and time designated by the viewer and the broadcast start date and time (recording start date and time) of the zapping data recorded in the vicinity thereof is detected, and the zapping data with the smallest difference is read and reproduced. Further, when reading the broadcast program corresponding to the channel specified by the viewer and the broadcast date and time, the playback control means 60 may read and play after the specified broadcast date and time, or read from the beginning of the broadcast program. May be played.

  In addition, when the zapping data corresponding to the broadcast program is reproduced, the reproduction control unit 60 determines whether or not the viewer intends to continue viewing. Note that the determination of whether or not the playback control means 60 intends to continue viewing can be performed by determining whether or not the viewer has viewed the zapping data for a predetermined time, for example. In other words, the playback control means 60 determines that there is an intention to continue viewing if the viewing of the zapping data is continued for a predetermined time, whereas if it is not continued for a predetermined time, the playback control means 60 is willing to continue viewing. It can be determined that there is no.

  When the reproduction control means 60 determines that there is an intention to continue viewing, the reproduction control means 60 refers to the zapping data recording table Ta generated by the zapping data recording table generation means 50 and refers to the broadcast program corresponding to the reproduced zapping data. Read the program ID. Then, the reproduction control means 60 requests the external server 100 to distribute the broadcast program via the network N by using the program ID (program distribution request).

  The reproduction control means 60 receives the broadcast program according to the distribution request distributed from the external server 100 via the network N, and reproduces this broadcast program from the continuation of the reproduced zapping data. At this time, the entire broadcast program may be distributed, or only a portion of the broadcast program that is not stored in the storage means 20 may be received. In the latter case, the playback control means 60 makes a program distribution request by designating the broadcast time of the portion desired to be distributed in the broadcast program in addition to the program ID.

  As a result, even if the broadcast program selected by the viewer is not stored in the storage means 20, the playback control means 60 receives the broadcast program from the external server 100 that holds the broadcast program via the network N. Since the broadcast program can be acquired and reproduced, the viewer can view the broadcast program that the viewer desires to view. The reproduction control means 60 reproduces the acquired broadcast program, for example, from the continuation of the reproduced zapping data. This allows the viewer to perform viewing selection by zapping in the time direction with the same operation feeling as viewing selection by zapping between normal channels. Note that the reproduction control means 60 may reproduce the acquired broadcast program from the beginning.

  Here, an example of the remote control device 3 suitably used in the digital broadcast receiving device 1 and an example of the zapping operation performed by the viewer using the remote control device 3 will be described.

The remote control device 3 allows the viewer to select a time designation means that can designate a movement distance on the time axis, a channel selection means that can select a channel, and a movement direction (return / forward) on the time axis. It is preferable that a moving direction selection means is provided.
For example, the remote control device 3 is preferably provided with buttons such as “5 minutes”, “10 minutes”, “1 hour”, “3 hours”, etc. as time designation means. The moving distance set by the time specifying means is a multiple of the time interval T when the recording control means 30 acquires zapping data from a broadcast program or when zapping data generation means 40 generates zapping data. Can do.
The remote control device 3 preferably includes, for example, buttons such as “return” and “forward” and up and down arrow keys as moving direction selection means.

  The remote controller 3 detects an operation button or operation key pressing operation (viewing selection by a zapping operation) by the viewer, and an operation for specifying the channel and the broadcast date and time by the detected viewing selection by the zapping operation. The signal is output to the reproduction control means 60 as a signal.

Next, an example of how the viewer performs viewing selection using the remote control device 3 will be described.
First, the viewer selects a channel to view by channel selection means. Note that the channel selection operation can be omitted when zapping in the time direction is performed while viewing a preselected channel.

  Next, the viewer selects the moving distance from the current set time by the time specifying means. Here, the “current set time” is the actual time when the zapping operation in the time direction is not performed within a certain time, but when the zapping operation in the time direction is performed within the certain time. Is the time specified in the previous zapping operation.

  Then, the viewer uses the moving direction selection means to select whether to return from the current set time toward the past on the time axis or from the current set time to the past from the past to the present. . If the zapping operation in the time direction is not performed within a certain time, the current set time becomes the actual time, so the viewer moves back on the time axis from the current set time toward the past. Only the direction can be selected.

  For example, when the viewer selects “broadcast program broadcast on channel CH1 one hour ago”, the channel selection means selects channel CH1, the time designation means selects “1 hour”, and The moving direction specifying means selects a moving direction that returns from the current set time to the past on the time axis.

  From this state, if the viewer wants to zap in the direction of returning to the past on the time axis, only the moving distance from the current set time may be selected by the time specifying means. On the other hand, from this state, if you want to zap in the direction going from the past to the present on the time axis, specify the moving distance from the current set time with the time specifying means, and further, the moving direction specifying means The direction of movement that advances from the set time to the present on the time axis is selected.

  In the above description, the remote control device 3 is provided with the moving direction selecting means and the time specifying means separately. Instead, for example, “+5 minutes”, “+10 minutes”, “−” It is good also as providing the button which served as a movement direction selection means and time designation means, such as "5 minutes" and "-10 minutes". According to this, the zapping operation can be further simplified.

[Operation of digital broadcast receiver]
Next, the operation of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, the flow of the zapping data generation process performed by the zapping data generation means 40 of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1 confirms the storage capacity of the storage means 20 by the zapping data generation means 40 (step S1).

Next, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1 determines whether or not the storage capacity exceeds the limit capacity by the zapping data generation means 40 (step S2). When the zapping data generating means 40 determines that the storage capacity exceeds the limit capacity (Yes in step S2), the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1 refers to the zapping data recording table Ta and stores it according to a predetermined rule. The broadcast program stored in the means 20 is selected, and the process proceeds to step S4 (step S3).
On the other hand, when the zapping data generating unit 40 determines that the storage capacity does not exceed the limit capacity (No in step S2), the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1 ends the process.

  Subsequently, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1 uses the zapping data generating means 40 to leave a certain amount of data at a predetermined time interval T from the broadcast program selected in step S3, and delete the remaining portion to obtain zapping data. Generate. Thereby, the broadcast program stored in the storage means 20 is replaced with the zapping data generated in step S3 (step S4).

  Through the above operation, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1 can generate zapping data from a broadcast program, and can store the zapping data by replacing the broadcast program.

Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the flow of reproduction processing performed by the reproduction control means 60 of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 6, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1 inputs the viewing selection from the viewer as an operation signal from the remote control device 3 by the reproduction control means 60 (step S11). This operation signal is information on the channel specified by the viewer's zapping operation and the broadcast date and time.

  Next, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1 refers to the zapping data recording table Ta (see FIG. 4) by the reproduction control means 60, and the broadcast program corresponding to the channel specified by the operation signal and the broadcast date / time information. Is stored (step S12). When it is determined by the playback control means 60 that the broadcast program designated by the zapping operation is stored in the storage means 20 (Yes in step S12), the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1 reads the broadcast program and displays the video It reproduces | regenerates as a signal and an audio | voice signal, and complete | finishes a process (step S13).

  On the other hand, when the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1 determines that the broadcast program specified by the zapping operation is not stored in the storage unit 20 by the reproduction control unit 60 (No in step S12), the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1 corresponds to this broadcast program. The zapping data is read and reproduced as a video signal and an audio signal, and the process proceeds to step S15 (step S14).

  Subsequently, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1 determines whether or not viewing of the zapping data reproduced in step S14 has been continued for a predetermined time by the reproduction control unit 60 (whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of reproduction of the zapping data). Determination is made (step S15).

  If the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1 determines that the reproduction control means 60 has continued to view the reproduced zapping data for a predetermined time (Yes in step S15), the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1 displays the zapping data recording table Ta (see FIG. 4). The program ID for acquiring the broadcast program corresponding to the reproduced zapping data from the external server 100 is read (step S16).

  Next, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1 makes a program distribution request for requesting distribution of the broadcast program corresponding to the read program ID to the external server 100 via the network N by the reproduction control means 60 (step S1). S17).

Then, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1 receives a broadcast program distributed as a response to the program distribution request from the external server 100 via the network N by the reproduction control means 60 (step S18).
Then, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1 reproduces the received broadcast program as a video signal and an audio signal from the continuation of the zapping data, for example, by the reproduction control means 60 (step S19).

On the other hand, when it is determined by the playback control means 60 that the viewing of the played back zapping data has not been continued for a predetermined time (No in step S15), the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1 ends the process.
Through the above operation, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1 can reproduce the broadcast program or the zapping data designated by the zapping operation.

According to the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention described above, a new viewing service called zapping in the time direction can be provided, so that viewers can easily search for past broadcast programs. Can be done. Therefore, it is possible to expect an increase in viewing to more past broadcast programs.
Further, according to the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1, since the broadcast program or the fragmented broadcast program is reproduced in response to the viewing selection by the viewer's zapping operation, it is possible to easily grasp the content of the broadcast program. This allows the viewer to easily select viewing of past broadcast programs.
Furthermore, according to the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1, a viewing opportunity can be secured by storing zapping data for past broadcast programs that have not been stored in the storage unit 20. Therefore, it can be expected that viewing will be expanded to past broadcast programs that are not stored in the storage means 20.
In addition, according to the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1, viewing selection by zapping in the time direction can be performed with the same operation feeling as viewing selection by zapping between normal channels. Further, according to the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1, zapping in the time direction can be performed while viewing a broadcast program currently being broadcast. Therefore, it is not necessary to activate a dedicated screen in order to select a past broadcast program. Thus, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1 has excellent operability and high convenience.
In addition, according to the digital broadcast receiver 1, since the storage capacity of the storage means 20 and the receiver 10 can be used efficiently, the configuration is simplified and the digital broadcast receiver 1 is inexpensive. .

[Modification]
Next, a digital broadcast receiver according to a modification of the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1A according to the modification includes a zapping data receiving unit 70 in addition to the components of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention described with reference to FIG. And zapping data updating means 80. In the following description, in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1A according to the modification, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention described with reference to FIG. The description to be omitted is omitted.

The zapping data receiving means 70 receives zapping data distributed from the external server 100 via the network N or update information of the zapping data.
The zapping data received by the zapping data receiving unit 70 or the update information of the zapping data is output to the zapping data updating unit 80.

  The zapping data receiving means 70 may receive zapping data automatically distributed from the external server 100 or zapping data update information. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, when the zapping data generating means 40 generates zapping data from a broadcast program, it corresponds to the zapping data to be generated from the broadcast program to the external server 100 via the network N. It is also possible to confirm whether or not the part to be updated has been updated, and receive zapping data as a response to the confirmation.

  The zapping data update unit 80 inputs the zapping data received by the zapping data receiving unit 70 or update information of the zapping data, and the zapping stored in the storage unit 20 based on the input zapping data or update information. Update the data.

  When receiving the zapping data from the external server 100 via the network N, the zapping data updating unit 80 reads the corresponding zapping data from the storage unit 20, and the stored zapping data and the distributed zapping data And the accumulated zapping data is updated based on the detected difference information. For example, the accumulated zapping data is updated so that there is no difference between the accumulated zapping data and the distributed zapping data. Alternatively, the accumulated zapping data is replaced with the delivered zapping data as it is and updated.

  Further, when receiving the zapping data update information from the external server 100 via the network N, the zapping data updating unit 80 reads the zapping data stored in the storage unit 20 and uses the stored zapping data. Update based on update information. Here, for example, when the zapping data is updated in the external server 100, the update information can be information indicating a difference from the zapping data distributed to the digital broadcast receiving device 1A immediately before the update.

  Further, when the zapping data update unit 80 receives the zapping data from the zapping data receiving unit 70 as a response to the update confirmation performed on the external server 100 from the zapping data generation unit 40, the zapping data update unit 80 receives the input zapping data. Accumulate in accumulation means 20. This eliminates the need for the zapping data generation means 40 to generate zapping data.

  Further, when a broadcast program corresponding to the zapping data is stored in the storage means 20, the distributed zapping data may be replaced with the corresponding broadcast program and stored. The zapping data or the update information of the zapping data includes, as information for specifying the zapping data, the channel on which the broadcast program corresponding to the zapping data was broadcast, and the date and time when the portion corresponding to the zapping data was broadcast on that channel. And are added.

  When the distributed zapping data is stored in the storage unit 20, the zapping data update unit 80 notifies the zapping data recording table generation unit 50 of information specifying the newly stored zapping data as an update history. . As a result, the zapping data recording table generating means 50 can record the zapping data newly accumulated in the accumulating means 20 in the zapping data recording table Ta based on the update history.

  Next, referring to FIG. 8, in the zapping data update unit 80 of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1A according to the modification, the zapping data stored in the storage unit 20 is updated based on the zapping data distributed from the external server 100. An example of the flow of update processing when doing this will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1A inputs the zapping data received by the zapping data receiving means 70 by the zapping data updating means 80 (step S21). Subsequently, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1 </ b> A searches the storage unit 20 based on the information specifying the zapping data added to the input zapping data by the zapping data update unit 80, and is received by the zapping data receiving unit 70. The zapping data corresponding to the zapping data is specified (step S22). The digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1A detects the difference from the zapping data specified by the zapping data updating unit 80 and received by the zapping data receiving unit 70 (step S23).

  In the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1A, the zapping data update unit 80 updates the zapping data read from the storage unit 20 based on the detected difference information (step S24). The digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1 </ b> A does not change when the difference between the zapping data received by the zapping data receiving unit 70 and the zapping data read from the storage unit 20 is 0 by the zapping data updating unit 80. End the process.

  Through the above operation, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1A can update the zapping data stored in the storage unit 20 with the zapping data distributed from the external server 100 or the zapping data update information.

  According to the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1A according to the modification, zapping data of a broadcast program can be acquired from the external server 100 as well. Further, according to the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1A according to the modification, the zapping data stored in the storage unit 20 is obtained based on the zapping data of the broadcast program distributed from the external server 100 or the update information of the zapping data. Can be updated.

  For example, when a breaking news is displayed on the screen during broadcasting of a broadcast program, the receiving side of the broadcast program acquires zapping data from this broadcast program, or generates zapping data from this broadcast program. There is a possibility that zapping data is generated in a state including breaking news. However, when zapping viewing a past broadcast program, the breaking news is no longer necessary information. Therefore, there is a case where the broadcast program distribution side wants to replace such unnecessary information with deleted zapping data. In such a case, the digital broadcast receiving device 1A according to the modification is particularly useful.

The digital broadcast receiving apparatus of the present invention has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment or modification, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiment or modification, the digital broadcast receiver may be a broadcast communication cooperative receiver used in a broadcast communication cooperative system using a broadcast and a network such as the Internet or a dedicated IP (Internet Protocol) line. Good.
By using such a broadcasting / communication cooperation receiving device, it is possible to acquire various information related to a broadcast program via a network and present it in combination with the broadcast, and also to zapping a broadcast program via the network. It is possible to receive provision of data distribution services.

Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment or modification, in the zapping data recording table Ta of the zapping data recording table generating unit 50, the channel corresponding to the broadcast program that the viewer has instructed to record and the broadcast date and time are supported. Although the mark is attached to the portion and the mark is used when recording the zapping data, the present invention is not limited to this, and the mark may be used when recording the zapping data.
For example, if the viewer has viewed the zapping data of a broadcast program by zapping in the past, but has not been able to view the entire broadcast program, the portion corresponding to the broadcast program is marked and the viewer Thus, when zapping is performed again, a broadcast program with a mark may be skipped.
Further, for example, when a viewer has viewed a broadcast program by zapping in the past, or when the viewer has recorded and viewed the broadcast program, the broadcast program that has already been viewed is marked by marking a portion corresponding to the broadcast program. May be skipped.
In this way, since overlapping zapping viewing can be avoided, viewing to other broadcast programs that have not been viewed yet can be expanded.
Furthermore, zapping according to the viewer's preference may be made possible by taking in the program table and metadata indicating the viewer's preference as marks. As a result, it is possible to easily find a broadcast program that matches the viewer's preference.

  Further, each of the digital broadcast receiving apparatuses 1 and 1A described above can be a program (digital broadcast receiving program) in which processing in each unit can be executed in a computer. In this case, each digital broadcast receiving program has the same effect as the corresponding device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1A Digital broadcast receiver 2 Display apparatus 3 Remote control apparatus 10 Receiving means 20 Storage means 30 Recording control means 40 Zapping data generation means 50 Zapping data recording table generation means 60 Playback control means 70 Zapping data reception means 80 Zapping data update means

Claims (5)

In a digital broadcast receiving apparatus that receives a broadcast program from a broadcast wave and an external server connected via a network,
Receiving means for receiving the broadcast program;
Storage means for storing the broadcast program and zapping data that is the fragmented broadcast program;
Recording control means for generating a recording history that is a history of the broadcast program stored in the storage means;
When the storage capacity of the storage means exceeds a limited capacity, the broadcast program stored in the storage means is selected according to a predetermined rule with reference to the recording history, and the selected broadcast program is fixed. Zapping data generating means for generating the zapping data by deleting each fixed amount at a time interval, and storing the zapping data in the storage means instead of the broadcast program;
Zapping data in which the broadcast program or the channel on which the zapping data is broadcast and the broadcast date / time are recorded in association with each other as information for specifying the broadcast program or the zapping data stored in the storage means. Zapping data recording table generating means for generating a recording table;
When a program search operation in the time direction through the viewer's input means is input from the input means as an operation signal for designating the channel and broadcast date and time, the zapping data recording table is referenced, and as a result, the operation signal If the broadcast program specified by is stored in the storage means, the broadcast program is read out from the storage means and played back, and if not stored in the storage means, the zapping data corresponding to the broadcast program And a playback control means for reading out the data from the storage means and playing it back. The zapping data recording table generating means includes:
As information for specifying the zapping data, program information for acquiring the broadcast program corresponding to the zapping data from the external server is further recorded in association with each other,
The reproduction control means includes
When a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of reproduction of the zapping data, the program information of the broadcast program corresponding to the reproduced zapping data is read with reference to the zapping data recording table, and the network information is The digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least the deleted portion of the broadcast program specified by the program information is acquired from the external server and played back. The recording control means includes
In the same broadcast time zone, the channels to be received by the receiving means are switched at a constant time interval, and the broadcast programs broadcast in the same broadcast time zone on a plurality of the channels are changed to the constant time interval. The reception unit receives a predetermined amount of the data, and the fragmented broadcast program data received for each broadcast program is stored in the storage unit as the zapping data of the broadcast program. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 1 or 2. Zapping data receiving means for receiving the zapping data of the broadcast program or update information of the zapping data distributed from the external server;
The zapping data update means for updating the zapping data stored in the storage means based on the distributed zapping data or the update information. The digital broadcast receiver according to any one of the above. In order for viewers to select and view past broadcast programs by zapping in the time direction,
Receiving means for receiving the broadcast program;
Recording control means for generating a recording history that is a history of the broadcast program stored in a storage means for storing the broadcast program and the zapping data that is the fragmented broadcast program;
When the storage capacity of the storage means exceeds a limited capacity, the broadcast program stored in the storage means is selected according to a predetermined rule with reference to the recording history, and the selected broadcast program is fixed. Zapping data generating means for generating the zapping data by deleting a predetermined amount at a time interval, and storing the zapping data in the storage means instead of the broadcast program,
Zapping data in which the broadcast program or the channel on which the zapping data is broadcast and the broadcast date / time are recorded in association with each other as information for specifying the broadcast program or the zapping data stored in the storage means. Zapping data recording table generating means for generating a recording table;
When a program search operation in the time direction through the viewer's input means is input from the input means as an operation signal for designating the channel and broadcast date and time, the zapping data recording table is referenced, and as a result, the operation signal If the broadcast program specified by is stored in the storage means, the broadcast program is read out from the storage means and played back, and if not stored in the storage means, the zapping data corresponding to the broadcast program Is read out from the storage means and played back as playback control means.

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